Frame Structure Of A Cooling Fan, The Cooling Fan And Heat Generating Device Having The Fan

ABSTRACT

A cooling fan, frame structure of the cooling fan, and a heat generating device comprising the fan are provided. The frame structure comprises a body with an air inlet and outlet. The body has at least one set of assembling holes which are spaced a certain distance apart from each other either along the inner peripheral of the outlet or along the two outer opposite edges. The frame structure further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle with two pins that are disposed in the assembling holes. The active anti-dust baffle is adapted to automatically rotate into a closed position when the cooling fan shuts down to effectively prevent the undesired outside objects from getting into the heat generating device.

This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No.095221793 filed on Dec. 11, 2006, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a frame structure for use in a coolingfan, the cooling fan and a heat generating device having the fan;specifically, it relates to a frame structure for use in a cooling fanto prevent outside objects from entrance, the cooling fan and a heatgenerating device having the fan.

2. Descriptions of the Related Art

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cooling system often used inelectrical and mechanical equipments. The cooling system mainly usescooling fan assemblies that are independently configured in the windtunnel inside the electrical and mechanical equipment for heatdissipation. Moreover, an outlet with honeycomb baffles is disposed inthe housing of the electrical and mechanical equipment opposite to thecooling fan assembly. The heat generated by the electrical andmechanical equipment can be exhausted out (as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 1) via the outlet by means of the cooling fan assembly. Thehoneycomb baffle of the outlet not only provides a fluidical connectionof the electrical and mechanical equipment with the outside, but alsoprevents outside objects entering the equipment and damaging the coolingfan assembly and the components inside the equipment.

However, after the cooling fan assembly is shut down, small outsideobjects, such as dust, paper pieces, and leaves, can still get into theelectrical and mechanical equipment via the gaps between the slots ofthe honeycomb baffles and the blades of the cooling fan assembly andcause damages. If the outside objects are larger and cannot get into theequipment, they can still easily attach onto the honeycomb baffles anddegrade the cooling efficiency. Furthermore, in electrical andmechanical equipments with a plurality of cooling fan assemblies, thecooling fan assemblies are fluidically connected to each other. If oneof the cooling fan assemblies breaks down and ceases operation, theexhausted heat can be sucked back into the equipment via the cooling fanassembly because the other cooling fan assemblies are still inoperation. This occurrence is also known as the “heat reverse” effect.As a result of this effect, the overall cooling efficiency of theequipment degrades.

A common method for solving the abovementioned problems is to configurea sponge net as a filter in front of each outlet in the electrical andmechanical equipment to enhance the sealing of the outlet and to preventsmaller outside objects from entering therein. However, the spongefiltering net will increase the resistance of heated gas flow anddecrease the overall cooling efficiency accordingly. Moreover, thesponge filtering net is not as effective at high temperatures. Hence,there is a need to redesign a cooling fan assembly suitable forelectrical and mechanical equipments with high operation temperatures sothat outside objects are prevented from entering the equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the subject invention is to provide a frame structurefor use in a cooling fan that not only prevents dust from entering, butalso does not generate a large resistance to the heated gas flow.

To achieve this first objective, the subject invention provides a framestructure for use in a cooling fan. The frame structure comprises a bodywhich comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the framestructure further comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle,adapted to rotate to a closed position to at least partially cover theair outlet when the cooling fan is shut down.

Another objective of the subject invention is to provide a cooling fanfor use in a heat generating device, wherein the cooling fan comprisesthe aforementioned frame structure.

Yet another objective of the subject invention is to provide a heatgenerating device comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fancomprises the aforementioned frame structure.

The anti-dust baffles of the frame structure disclosed by the subjectinvention can automatically close the air outlet to prevent dust orother foreign objects from getting inside the equipment when the coolingfan is shut down either by their weight or by external forces such aselectrical forces and manpower. If several cooling fan are assembledtogether and one of them breaks down, the anti-dust baffle of theinoperable cooling fan automatically rotates into a closed position topartially cover the air outlet. Even though the other cooling fans arestill operating normally; the heated gas flow generated and exhausted bythe equipment won't flow back into the equipment via the inoperablecooling fan.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for thesubject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanyingthe appended figures for people skilled in this field to well appreciatethe features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional electrical andmechanical equipment with a cooling fan;

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates the frame structure of a cooling fanin the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates the side view of a cooling fan's framestructure in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates active anti-dust baffles with differentcontours in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates the operation of a cooling fan withthe frame structure in the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention;

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates another view of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a heat generating device with aplurality of cooling fans in the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B schematically illustrate a frame structure 20 foruse in a cooling fan 10 disclosed by the subject invention. The framestructure 20 comprises a body 22 and a containing space inside the body22 for housing the cooling fan 10. The body 22 includes an air inlet 24and an air outlet 26 configured on both sides of the cooling fan,respectively, for providing a pathway for heated gas flow exhaustion.

FIG. 3 shows that the frame structure 20 further comprises at least oneactive anti-dust baffle 28 configured adjacent to the air outlet 26. Inthe preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the body 22 comprisesat least one set of assembling holes 30, disposed along the inner orouter peripheral of the air outlet 26. If the assembling holes 30 aredisposed along the inner peripheral adjacent to the air outlet 26, thebody 22 of the frame structure 20 has a wider peripheral structureadjacent to the air outlet 26 (as shown in the BB line of FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B) than the one adjacent to the air inlet 24 (as shown in the AAline of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B). The peripheral location facilitates theinstallation of the assembling holes 30 and disposition of the activeanti-dust baffle 28 in front of the air outlet 26.

The frame structure 20 comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle toconform to the contour of the air outlet 26. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the frame structure 20 comprises three baffles 28. Each of the activeanti-dust baffles comprises two pin axes 32 disposed on the upper end oftwo sides thereof. The length of the pin axes 32 can be adjusted to fitthe assembly hole 30 so that the active anti-dust baffle 28 can beindividually fastened to the set of assembling holes 30 for anti-dustbaffle rotation about the pin axes 32 in front of the air outlet 26.

It should be noted that the active anti-dust baffle 28 can be made ofany appropriate material. Preferably, an active anti-dust baffle made oflight and rigid materials with small friction coefficients would be mostideal. The actual shape of the active anti-dust baffle 28 can beadjusted so that the edges of the opposite ends thereof are configuredto substantially conform to the contour of the air outlet 26 of theframe structure. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B schematically illustrates theactive anti-dust baffles 28 after configuration to the frame structure20. As the cooling fan 10 operates, the gas flow generated therein (asindicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) will push theactive anti-dust baffles 28 to rotate outward and upward. The air outlet26 is then opened so that the heated gas flow can be exhausted via theair outlet 26. The temperature inside the electrical and mechanicalequipment can be maintained within a proper range for normal operationthereof. On the other hand, as the cooling fan 10 ceases operation, theactive anti-dust baffles 28 are adapted to rotate into a closed positionto at least partially or substantially completely cover the air outlet26. This coverage prevents foreign objects from getting into theequipment.

In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the activeanti-dust baffle 28 is adapted to be operated by its weight. That is,when the exhausted gas flow of the cooling fan 10 is no longer present,the force of gravity will pull down and shut the active anti-dust baffle28 so that the baffle 28 is able to automatically move to the desiredclosed position.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cooling fan assembly comprising aplurality of frame structures in a real embodiment of the subjectinvention. The cooling fan assembly can be equipped in projectors, datastorage media, personal computers, servers or the like. If one orseveral cooling fans operate abnormally, the active anti-dust baffles 28of the frame structure in the inoperable cooling fan will automaticallyclose the outlet thereof, while the other cooling fans will maintainnormal operation to exhaust heat out of the equipment (as shown by thearrow in FIG. 5). Because the baffles 28 close the inoperable coolingfan, the problem of the prior art in which exhausted heat pours backinto the equipment can be resolved.

It is noted that there are other ways to close the active anti-dustbaffles. For example, because the active anti-dust baffles areelectrically connected to the cooling fan, an electric controllingdevice (not shown) can drive the active anti-dust baffles toautomatically rotate into the closed position when the cooling fan shutsdown. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the active anti-dust bafflescan be manually closed when the cooling fan shuts down.

In addition, the frame structure of the subject invention can be appliedto any equipment which needs to dissipate heat. The frame structure canbe directly assembled into the cooling fan, which is then integratedinto the equipment. As a result, the equipment can be controlled withina proper operation temperature range and prevent foreign objects fromgetting into the equipment. The life cycle thereof can be extendedconsequently.

The frame structure can also be integrated directly into the heatgenerating device with an internal heat source (such as lamps, harddisks with high revolution speed or CPU). That is, the frame structureneed not be assembled into the cooling fan for integration into the heatgenerating device. More specifically, the frame structure can beconfigured in the heat generating device adjacent to a fan originallyinstalled therein. The active anti-dust baffle of the frame structurecan be opened using the wind power generated by the fan inside the heatgenerating device and can be closed after the fan shuts down. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the heat generating device comprisesa housing 40 which includes a sidewall 41. Cooling fans are disposedinside the housing 40 and adjacent to the sidewall 41. The activeanti-dust baffles 28 can be disposed on the housing to cool and blockforeign objects.

The above examples are only intended to illustrate the principle andefficacy of the subject invention and not to limit the subjectinvention. Any people skilled in this field may proceed withmodifications and changes to the above examples without departing fromthe technical principle and spirit of the subject invention. Therefore,the scope of protection of the subject invention is covered in thefollowing claims as appended.

1. A frame structure for use in a cooling fan, comprising: a body,including an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the frame structurefurther comprises at least one active anti-dust baffle, adapted torotate to a closed position in order to at least partially cover the airoutlet when the cooling fan is shut down.
 2. The frame structure ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle electricallyconnects to the cooling fan, and the at least one active anti-dustbaffle is adapted to automatically rotate to the closed position whenthe cooling fan shuts down.
 3. The frame structure of claim 1, whereinthe at least one active anti-dust baffle is adapted to be operatedmanually to the closed position when the cooling fan shuts down.
 4. Theframe structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one active anti-dustbaffle is adapted to be operated by its weight, thereby the at least oneactive anti-dust baffle is adapted to automatically move to the closedposition.
 5. The frame structure of claim 4, wherein the at least oneactive anti-dust baffle is adapted to be operated by its weight toperform a rotating motion.
 6. The frame structure of claim 5, whereinthe body comprises at least one set of assembling holes, disposed alonga peripheral of the air outlet, the at least one active anti-dust bafflecomprises two pin axes, disposed on an upper end of two sides thereof,the at least one active anti-dust baffle is individually fastened to theat least one set of assembling holes so that each the at least oneactive anti-dust baffle can rotate about the pin axes in front of theair outlet.
 7. The frame structure of claim 6, wherein the peripheral isan inner peripheral of the air outlet.
 8. The frame structure of claim6, wherein the peripheral is an outer peripheral of the air outlet. 9.The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one activeanti-dust baffle has two edges which are configured to conform to aninner peripheral of the air outlet.
 10. The frame structure of claim 1,wherein the at least one active anti-dust baffle is made of light andrigid materials.
 11. The frame structure of claim 1, further comprisinga plurality of active anti-dust baffles, adapted to rotate to a closedposition in order to substantially completely cover the air outlet whenthe cooling fan shuts down.
 12. The frame structure of claim 11, whereinthe plurality of active anti-dust baffles are arranged subsequently andeach baffle has two edges which is configured to conform to an innerperipheral of the air outlet at a position it is located when the activeanti-dust baffles are in the closed position.
 13. A cooling fan used ina heat generating device, comprising a frame structure as claimed inclaim
 1. 14. A heat generating device, comprising a cooling fan whichincludes a frame structure as claimed in claim
 1. 15. The heatgenerating device of claim 14, further comprising a housing, including asidewall, wherein the cooling fan is disposed in the housing and isadjacent to the sidewall, and the at least one active anti-dust baffleis disposed on the housing.